GUNSMITH Training--

[Cahunter90]

Hello everyone, wanted to ask and find out if anyone of you know of the best place to get gunsmith training here in Ca., I'd like to sharpen up my basic knowledge and replace it with some solid one. Online training would be ok also. thanks in advance.

[P5Ret]

Lassen community college is the only accredited one that I know of in Ca. I believe it is only one of 4 that the NRA recommends.

http://www.lassencollege.edu/academics/programs/gunsmithing/Pages/default.aspx

[hermosabeach]

There are a lot of good firearm specific DVDs.

I would start with DVDs and multiple U tube videos.

Then decide what you want to do and your budget?

Revolver Trigger jobs can require a fair amount of stones and fixtures...

If you want hands on, you will probably need to travel to a school....

Maybe one of the smiths on the board would be open to an unpaid intern....
Randall in the Valley or KC in San Diego... I don;t know

[Che762x39]

How about this program?

https://americangunsmithinginstitute.net/?lead_src=introgppc

I did a Gunsmithing Course by mail back in 1988. It was located in PA and my VA covered the expense. It was a 24 month program and I got it done in a 1 1/2 years.

[CSTactical]

Lassen community college is the only accredited one that I know of in Ca. I believe it is only one of 4 that the NRA recommends.

http://www.lassencollege.edu/academi...s/default.aspx

I'd recommend going here, I know two solid Gunsmiths that graduated from here.

[shafferds]

Is this for fun? Hobby? Or work? Tooling and setup isn't cheap? Do you have room for a lathe? Mill? Sand blasters? Buffers and other machines? Start by taking apart what you have and putting it back together. Look at how everything interacts. Do you have a specific interest in single actions, lever guns, bolt actions, shotguns, 1911?
Lassen is great and online is so so. I know a guy who was so happy he got his online gunsmith cert and didn't know the first thing about milling, setup or lathe work. So much of gunsmithing is hands on and feeling the files, machines ect. I would try welding class, machinest class as well to be more well rounded.

[shafferds]

Also if you wanna get into this get lots of older used manuals and take down gunsmith books that cover a wide range. Even after doing gunsmithing for over 10 years I still scratch my head on some stuff in disassembly and reassembly. Take pictures, notes or even videos. Get the right tools and be patient. Where are you located?

['ol shooter]

I attended a two week course at Lassen on L.E. Armorer back in 1982. I learned ways of doing things that I still use to this day, and all the tools I had to buy for the course continue to serve me well. One of the two instructors was Bob Dunlap, the other was Chief Armorer for CHP. The courses offered by AGI have value for a beginner on up to those experienced. They offer some intro mini courses free online.

[MyOdessa]

I'd also recommend Lassen College. Excellent courses.

[DrewN]

Lassen is tops. I'm going to go when I retire,just so I can rue all my mistakes before I kick the bucket

[Cahunter90]

Thanks SO much to everyone that responded, I will look into each and every suggestion. Looking forward to gain lots of knowledge. I appreciate your help.

[Matt P]

If you are considering online instruction then you tube will provide ample instruction.
From bedding, refinishing, disassembly of all popular makes and models along with performing action work. I have consistently been able to resolve issues with clients firearms (up to last year) I was unfamiliar with by using the web.

Without a doubt Lassen takes you completely to another level. There is no substitute for hands on.
With an education from there in your background you will easily find work as a gunsmith. Go anywhere in this State or another and find work.

Good luck with your endeavors.

[ar15barrels]

Maybe one of the smiths on the board would be open to an unpaid intern....
Randall in the Valley or KC in San Diego... I don;t know

I tried that once.
It didn't work out.

[ar15barrels]

So much of gunsmithing is hands on and feeling the files, machines ect.

There is no substitute for hands-on training.
People think files are so simple, yet they can't even control one when you ask them to.

[kcstott]

There are a lot of good firearm specific DVDs.

I would start with DVDs and multiple U tube videos.

Then decide what you want to do and your budget?

Revolver Trigger jobs can require a fair amount of stones and fixtures...

If you want hands on, you will probably need to travel to a school....

Maybe one of the smiths on the board would be open to an unpaid intern....
Randall in the Valley or KC in San Diego... I don;t know

Well
1. I'm not a gunsmith
2. I make custom parts
3. If i had the ability and desire to teach it won't be for free
4. If i had the ability and desire to teach it would be how to use the machines.

I highly recommend not going to a gunsmithing school until completion of a machinists course. knowing how to set up and dial in a lath and a mill will better help the student in a gunsmithing course. That and being a machinist pays better.